Evaluating the relationship between social media use frequency and entrepreneurial perceptions and attitudes among students

Examining the impact of social media usage on start-ups performance: Mediating role of brand image

Social media has emerged as an assertive communication and brand-building tool in the dynamic entrepreneurship landscape. This study explores the influence of social media usage on the performance of start-ups, focusing on the mediating role of brand image. The research employs a quantitative approach, collecting data from 450 start-ups in Ghana through surveys. Data collected was processed and analyzed through PLS-SEM. The findings of the study supported all the formulated hypotheses. The outcome suggests that, social media, brand image and innovation capabilities all have direct and positive linked with startup performance. Additionally, the findings proved a mediating role of brand image between social media usage and startup performance. Understanding the dynamics between social media, brand image, and performance is vital for start-ups seeking to thrive in competitive markets. Based on the outcomes in the findings, the study recommends social media marketing tool for startup businesses in Ghana to stern competition and drive sustenance. This research contributes to academic literature and practical insights, offering nuanced perspectives on leveraging social media as a strategic tool for cultivating a brand image and influencing overall start-up performance. The implications of the study findings serve as guideline for startups and young entrepreneurs' in developing countries as they develop their marketing strategies.

Social Media Use and Oral Health-Related Misconceptions in Saudi Arabia: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Social media has become a central tool in health communication, offering both opportunities and challenges. In Saudi Arabia, where platforms like WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Instagram are widely used, the quality and credibility of oral health information shared digitally remain critical issues. Misconceptions about oral health can negatively influence individuals' behaviors and oral health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the patterns of social media use and estimate the prevalence of oral health-related misconceptions among adults in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it assessed the associations between engagement with oral health information, self-reported oral health, and the presence and count of these misconceptions.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted over 10 weeks, targeting adults aged 15 years and older in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from a total sample size (n=387) via a questionnaire distributed through targeted advertisements on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (Twitter). The prevalence of oral health-related misconceptions was estimated using descriptive statistics, including counts and percentages. Chi-square tests described sociodemographic, social media engagement, and self-reported oral health. Logistic and Poisson regression analyses were used to assess associations between engagement and self-reported oral health with misconceptions. Logistic regression models provided odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI to assess the presence of oral health misconceptions. Poisson regression was used to calculate mean ratios and adjusted mean ratios (AMRs) for the count of misconceptions.

RESULTS

WhatsApp (n=344, 89.8%) and Instagram (n=304, 78.9%) were the most frequently used social media platforms daily. Common oral health misconceptions included beliefs that "Pregnancy causes calcium loss in teeth" (n=337, 87%) and "Dental treatment should be avoided during pregnancy" (n=245, 63.3%). Following dental-specific accounts was significantly associated with lower odds of having any misconceptions (adjusted odds ratio 0.41, 95% CI 0.22-0.78) and a lower count of misconceptions (AMR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.98). Conversely, trust in social media as a source of oral health information was associated with a higher count of misconceptions (AMR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.31).

CONCLUSIONS

Social media platforms are essential yet double-edged tools for oral health information dissemination in Saudi Arabia. Participants who followed dental-specific accounts had significantly lower misconceptions, while trust in social media as a source of information was linked to higher counts of misconceptions. These findings highlight the importance of promoting credible content from verified sources to combat misconceptions. Strategic collaborations with dental professionals are necessary to enhance the dissemination of accurate oral health information and public awareness and reduce the prevalence of oral health-related misconceptions.

The analysis of the RBL-STEM application in improving student financial literacy in controlling consumptive behavior

This study aims to analyze the application of the RBL-STEM learning model in improving students' financial literacy to control their consumptive behavior. The method used in this study combines qualitative and quantitative methods by involving 110 students of Riau University. The data of this study were analyzed using SEM PLS on nine Hypotheses that link the application of the RBL-STEM model, student literacy, and student consumptive behavior. The results showed that one hypothesis was rejected, namely the relationship between Risk management and consumptive behavior. The results of the outer model show that each indicator has a composite reliability (CR) value of >0.7 and an average variance extracted (AVE) value of >0.5. It concludes that the outer model used in this study is good. Based on the analysis results, in general, the application of the RBL-STEM learning model has a significant influence on increasing student financial literacy, which has an impact on controlling student consumptive behavior.

The impact of entrepreneurial activities and college students' entrepreneurial abilities in higher education-A meta-analytic path

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively analyze 34 independent papers collated from both domestic and international literature on the correlation between university entrepreneurial activities and college students' entrepreneurial abilities by means of meta-regression analysis and to examine in detail the significant factors affecting the entrepreneurial competencies of university students. The study revealed a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurial activities in universities and university students' entrepreneurial ability, and further explored the extent to which each of the three types of entrepreneurial activities had an impact on college students' entrepreneurial abilities. Then, the effects of different moderating variables on the relationship are further analyzed. The results show that the type of university, economic development, gender ratio, age structure, and time to publication all significantly moderate the degree of correlation between university entrepreneurial activities and college students' entrepreneurial abilities.